Sustainability

The Passivhaus Trust is an independent, non-profit organisation that provide leadership in the UK for the adoption for the Passivhaus standard and methodology.www.passivhaustrust.org.uk

The Association for Environment Conscious Building (AECB) is a network of individuals and companies with a common aim of promoting sustainable building. It provides sustainable building training and certification.www.aecb.net

Grants and Funding

The Energy Saving Trust offers impartial advice on the efficient use of energy. They offer grants and information on grants to homeowners, in order to encourage the efficient use of energy.www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

The Micro Generation Certification Scheme (MCS) is an industry-led and internationally recognised quality assurance scheme supported by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). MCS covers electricity generating technologies with a capacity of up to 50kW and heat generating technologies up to 45kW.www.microgenerationcertification.org

The governent’s Enhanced Capital Allowance Scheme enables businesses to claim 100% first year capital allowances on their spending on energy saving and water conservation qualifying plant and machinery and low carbon dioxide cars and natural gas and hydrogen re-fuelling infrastructure.www.eca.gov.uk

Education and Training

Policies and Guidance

The Building Research Establishment(BRE) offers services and advice linked to a complete range of building topics including acoustics, lighting, resource efficiency and sustainability. BRE's Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) is used to assess the environmental performance of both new and existing buildings.www.breeam.org.uk

Visit the BRE website for details on the Green Guide to Specification and the Green Guide to Housing Specification.www.bre.co.uk

The home page for the Department for Community and Local Government provides information on building regulations, planning guidance and emerging legislation.www.communities.gov.uk

The Planning Portal is the government’s online planning and building regulations resource for England and Wales. It provides information on Building Regulations, Greener Buildings, Building Policy and Legislation and Good Practice Guides. www.planningportal.gov.uk